Virtual Scavenger to Showcase University Research
February 04, 2014 - News Release
The University of Guelph will help raise awareness of university research through a new online initiative run by the Council of Ontario Universities (COU).
A virtual scavenger hunt launched this week as part of COU’s Research Matters campaign will take the public through on an online tour of research at the province’s 21 publicly assisted universities.
The month-long contest is open to students and the general public. Contestants may answer a new question every day; specialized knowledge is not required. Participants who answer all 21 questions correctly will be able to unlock a message that they can then submit to be entered for grand prizes. Grand prizes include five cash prizes of $500 each for university students.
“The virtual scavenger hunt will put a spotlight on 21 fascinating research projects, but that is just the tip of the iceberg,” says COU president and CEO Bonnie Patterson.
“We hope that, as a result of this contest, Ontarians will take new pride in the research going on in their own province.”
All Ontario universities contributed source material. Student ambassadors, including U of G graduate student Melanie Wills, will deliver questions and clues in video messages. Clues will also be available on the Research Matters website.
“Our job is to inspire people’s curiosity,” said Wills, a Ph.D. candidate in molecular and cellular biology. “Together we represent the rich tapestry of research occurring at Ontario universities.”
The campaign also aims to show the accessibility and relevance of university research, Wills said. “We are the human face of research.”
More information and contest details are available online.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, 519-824-4120, Ext. 53338, or lhunt@uoguelph.ca; or Kevin Gonsalves, Ext. 56982, or kgonsalves@uoguelph.ca.
